Continuous electrical outlet



April 11, 1961 M. A. LONGMIRE CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL OUTLET Filed May 1, 1959 Marion A. Longm/re United States Patent CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL OUTLET Marion'A. Longmire, 511' Capitol Ave Frankfort; Ky.

Filed May 1, 1959, Ser. No. 810,315

2 Claims. (Cl. 339-21) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electrical outlets particularly although not necessarily, for dwellings and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to accommodate substantially any number of conductor cords whereby lamps, electrical appliances, clocks, etc., may be located as may be desired in a room, for example, and conveniently connected to a source of current.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide, in a continuous electrical outlet of the aforementioned character comprising a sectional bar or strip of insulating material, novel means for electrically connecting the sections.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a continuous electrical outlet of the character described which will be of relatively simple construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomes subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a continuous electrical outlet constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing a prong-type electric plug in position to be inserted;

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of one of the connectors; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing an installation of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a bar or strip of suitable insulating material which is designated generally by reference character 7. The bar or strip 7, which may also be of any desired dimensions, includes a series of separable sections 8. At corners, the opposed ends of the sections 8 are suitably beveled, as indicated at 9. As shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawing, the sections 8 are preferably of a transverse sectional shape to simulate molding.

The sections 8 have formed longitudinally therein a pair of spaced, parallel channels 10. The side walls of the channels 10 have formed therein opposed grooves 11. Mounted longitudinally in the channels 10 are conductor strips 12 of substantially V-shaped cross-section, said conductor strips being of any suitable resilient metal. The conductor strips 12 include outturned flanges 13 r 2,979,686 Patented Apr. 11 1961 which are engaged in the grooves 11 for retainingsaicl conductor strips in position in the channels 10; Between The adjacent ends of the sections 8 are electrically" connected through the medium of pins or rods 16 extending between said sections and wedged in the substantially V-shaped conductor strips 12. At corners, the connecting pins 16 are bent or angulated, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. Substantially U-shaped retainers 17 wedge the connecting pins 16 into the conductor strips 12 and secure the adjacent ends of the sections 8 to the supporting surface. Toward this end, the retainers 17 comprise bight portions or bars 18 which are apertured to accommodate securing screws 19 which pass between or through the sections into the supporting surface. Retainers 17 further include legs 20 which force the connecting pins 16 into the conductor strips 12.

To permanently connect a conductor 21 from a source of electricity to the continuous outlet, an opening or recess 22 (see Figure 4) is provided in the base portion of one of the sections 8. The skinned wires 23 of the conductor 21 are then threaded through openings provided therefor in the conductor strips 12 and bent to extend longitudinally in said strips. A retainer 17 is then inserted and secured for anchoring the bent wires 23 in the conductor strips.

Reference character 24 designates a cord for detachably connecting the device to a. conventional outlet. Toward this end, the cord 24 is provided on one end with a prong-type plug 25 for insertion in the receptacle. On its other end, the Wires 26 of the cord 24 are skinned and secured in the conductor strips 12 through the medium of one of the retainers 17.

It is thought that the use of the invention will be read ily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly the usual prong-type plug, as indicated at 27 in Figure 2 of the drawing, on one end of an electric cord from a lamp, appliance or other device inserted in the channels 10 at any convenient point on the strip 7 and wedged into the resilient, substantially V-shaped conductor strips 12 where they are frictionally anchored. Thus, an electric circuit is completed in an obvious manner to the lamp or appliance. Of course, the members or retainers 17 are of a suitable insulating material.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A continuous electrical outlet comprising: a bar of insulating material for mounting on a support, said bar including separable sections each having spaced, parallel channels therein, conductor strips mounted in the channels, metallic rods electrically connecting the conductor strips in the adjacent end portions of the sections, and substantially U-shaped retainers of insulating material securing the rods in engagement with the conductor strips, said retainers including plates bridging the adjacent end portions of the sections and secured to the support therebetween, said retainers further including legs on the plates extending into the channels and engaged with the rods.

2. A continuous electrical outlet comprising: a strip of insulating material for mounting on a support, Said strip including sections, each of said sections having References Cited in the file of this patent spaced, parallel channels therein, resilient conductor strips UNITED STATES PATENTS of substantially V-shaped cross-section mounted longitudinally in the channels, metallic rods mounted in the d'g g adjacent end portions of the conductor strips for elec- 5 2408442 9 r 35 1946 trically connecting the same, and substantially U-shaped retainers of insulating material mounted on the sections FOREIGN PATENTS and comprising legs engaged at their free ends with the 61,514 France Nov, 24, 1954 rods for wedgingly engaging said rods in the conductor 10 (1st addition to No. 1,031,279.)

strips. 394,199 Great Britain June 22, 1933 

